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There are times when we want to share a wired internet connection to others through our Windows PC and this is when we need a capable WiFi hotspot software. Thankfully, we have Connectify for Windows, which is so much more than being a simple internet sharing software. While it shares your internet connection flawlessly and securely, it also brings so many advanced features like File sharing, Bridge, Dispatch and more, which are unmatched by its competitors. But like every other software or tool, it comes with its share of problems and those problems can make us look for an alternative.

Why we need a Connectify alternative?

Connectify is a very feature rich software and there’s no doubt it’s the best WiFi hotspot application but as we mentioned, there are a few issues. While Connectify comes in a free “Lite” version, it is very limited and the paid versions dubbed Connectify PRO and MAX respectively start at $35 and $50 respectively, which might be a bit steep for some.

Another issue is using Connectify can be a little complicated at times due to the great number of features built right into it. We love some of its alternatives due to the simple reason that they are way easier to use. If you want advanced features, there’s no match for Connectify but if you are looking for a simple WiFi hotspot software, then you should look at some of the great Connectify alternatives for Windows we have found.

Best Connectify Alternatives to Share Your Internet

OSToto Hotspot (Free)

You must be aware of OSToto Hotspot (Yes, we don’t like the name either!) from its older name 160WiFi. While the name has changed, it remains a great WiFi hotspot software. It comes with a simple interface, which lets you start your WiFi hotspot with a single click. The software shares a secure internet connection, thanks to its usage of standard WPA2 PSK password security. Other features include ability to blacklist devices, set time when you want the hotspot to turn off, allow hotspot to run even when you hibernate the PC and more. The best thing about OSToto Hostpot is it’s totally free and there are no ads either.

Download OSToto Hotspot (Free)

Compatibility: Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, XP, Vista.

Baidu WiFi Hotspot (Free)

Baidu WiFi Hotspot software is another great Connectify alternative, as it has a great mix of simple and advanced features. The good thing is the advanced features never hinder the experience here, unlike Connectify. Apart from sharing your internet connection quickly, the software also lets you send and receive files from a device that’s connected to the WiFi hotspot, which is a pretty handy feature. Baidu WiFi Hotspot is fast, smooth and it’s also free.

Download Baidu WiFi Hotspot (Free)

Compatibility: Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, XP.

Thinix WiFi Hotspot (Paid)

Thinix WiFi Hotspot software is a great internet sharing software, which along with simple internet sharing brings a few cool intuitive features. As with any other WiFi hotspot software, it lets you configure the hotspot the way you want. Along with that, you can prioritize devices, so if a device of yours is streaming a video, you can give it a higher priority in the settings, so that there are no hiccups in playback. Thinix offers you a free trial for a week in which you can use the hotspot for 15 minutes every day. For unlimited usage, you can get the paid version for $12.95. Even though Thinix’s official website says the software only supports Windows 7 and 8, we tested the app on Windows 10 and it works fine.

Download Thinix WiFi Hotspot (Free trial for a week/ Paid version starts at $12.95)

Compatibility: Windows 10, 8, 7.

Virtual Router Plus (Free)

Virtual Router Plus has been a popular WiFi hotspot software for quite a while now and even though the developers don’t seem to be actively updating the app anymore, it still gets the job done. It is the most simple WiFi hotspot app you will ever come across. The software has no additional features and it’s not really a bad thing as long as you only want the WiFi hotspot feature. You can configure the name and password of the hotspot and you can start or stop it, that’s it. Virtual Router Plus should be fine with a lot of people, who only want a stable WiFi hotspot software. While the Virtual Router Plus website says it only supports Windows 7 and 8, we tested it on Windows 10 and it works as it’s supposed to, so no worries there.

Download Virtual Router Plus (Free)

Compatibility: Windows 10,8, 7.

LionScripts WiFi Hotspot Creator (Free)

LionScripts WiFi Hotspot Creator is also a very simple WiFi hotspot enabling software. The software comes in two versions. One is a free version with ads and other is a paid version, without ads. As we mentioned, the software is pretty simple with only options to configure the name and password of the WiFi hotspot. There are also options to start hotspot with or without opening the software. Just like other hotspot softwares, the website shows support for Windows 8, 7, Vista and XP but we ran it on Windows 10 and it runs fine.

Download LionScripts WiFi Hotspot Creator (Free version/ Ad-free Paid version $11)

Compatibility: Windows 10,8, 7, Vista and XP.

MyPublicWiFi (Free)

MyPublicWiFi is one of the oldest WiFi hotspot softwares around and not much has changed in the software but it still works. While the software does share your internet with ease, it also brings some cool advanced features that might come handy. The software lets you block any user’s access and it also allows you to block features like file sharing over WiFi, which might eat up your bandwidth. MyPublicWiFi also features a URL logging feature, which as the name suggests logs all the websites visited from your WiFi hotspot. Overall, MyPublicWiFi continues to be a great WiFi hotspot software and it remains free to use.

Download MyPublicWiFi (Free)

Compatibility: Windows 10, 8, 7, Server 2008.

Bonus: Windows 10’s WiFi Sense Feature

Windows 10 has introduced several new features and some of them aren’t really well known, one of them is WiFi Sense. WiFi Sense is hidden away in Windows 10’s Settings->Network & Internet->WiFi->Manage WiFi Settings. It lets you share your WiFi network to your contacts (Outlook, Skype or Facebook) without sharing the network’s password. It’s a fast, secure way if you want to share your WiFi to your friends and family. It’s important to note here that people with only Windows 10 or Windows Phone devices will be able to connect through WiFi Sense.

Here are the best budget tablets available to buy in the UK in 2016. All of the cheap tablets you see in this chart have been reviewed by one of PC Advisor's in-house experts. Also see: Best new tablets coming in 2016.

Latest entry: Asus ZenPad 10

est tablets to buy right now

Best budget tablets 2016: Buyer's guide

A couple of years ago, a good budget tablet cost about £120. It had the words “Tesco” and “Hudl” on the box and you could get one for half that price if you had enough Tesco Clubcard vouchers. Clearly the Hudl didn’t make enough money, so Tesco made a swift exit from the tablet business.

In 2016, the new budget king is Amazon. The 7in Amazon Fire costs £49.99, and it has been on sale for £35 and even lower a few times. Those are crazy prices for a tablet, let alone one that has a decent screen, a microSD slot for adding more storage, and an easy-to-use operating system.

It would be easy to say you’re a fool for buying another tablet, but the Fire has one sticking point: it’s not an Android tablet. This isn’t a problem for a lot of people, but the fact that everything Google is conspicuous by its absence is a deal-breaker for others.

You can find out more about the pros and cons of Amazon Fire OS in our Fire review.

Android tablets

If you do decide that the Fire isn’t for you, the alternative is an Android tablet. iPads don’t fall into the budget category, so you’ll only find those in our Best Tablets roundup.

Android is a great operating system, but it doesn’t follow that all cheap Android tablets are great.

There are plenty of no-name brands out there, but as with most tech, you can’t buy one based on specifications alone.

Quad-core CPUs and “high definition” screens might sound great, but what counts is how they perform in the real world. That’s where our reviews come in, as we run benchmarks to assess performance and battery life, and test a screen’s brightness, viewing angles and colours: none of which you can do by looking at an ebay listing or Argos catalogue.

However, it does help to know what to look for when narrowing down your search.

Screen

First, decide on screen size. Do you want a portable tablet with a 7in screen, or do you want something larger (and trade off portability)? We can’t tell you what’s best for you, but in general, a 7- or 8in screen is best if you’ll take the tablet everywhere, while a 9-10in screen is good if you only need to carry it around occasionally.

Look for an IPS screen, as this technology is almost a guarantee that it will have good colours and viewing angles. It doesn’t say too much about brightness and contrast, but we’ve seen few IPS-screened tablets that we didn’t like.

Resolution isn’t as important as you might think. Pixel density is a better guide: you need fewer pixels on a smaller screen and vice versa. Look for at least 250 pixels per inch.

Storage

You won't get much storage in a budget tablet, but that's fine if your chosen model has a microSD slot for adding more. Amazon's (old) tablets don't, which is one big black mark against them. The new range does, which is why we rate the £49 Fire so highly.

Consider 16GB a minimum: 8GB without a microSD card is just too restrictive because half (or more) of this can be taken up by the operating system and pre-installed apps which you might not be able to delete.

Cameras

Most tablet cameras (let alone budget models) are relatively poor compared to the best smartphones. Don't expect great quality photos or videos from any budget tablet, but if this is important to you always check reviews to see which tablet has the least worst cameras.

Processor

Don't pay any attention to GHz numbers or even RAM. It's easy to be fooled into believing a tablet will - or won't - perform well based on numbers alone. Read our reviews to find out how each tablet performs in the real world.

Software

As we’ve said, pretty much every budget tablet around today runs Google’s Android operating system. This isn’t a bad thing though, as it’s very easy to use and just as good as Apple's iOS found on iPads.

It's rare to find out without the Google Play store these days, but do check as it's a pain if you buy something and find out it's not approved by Google and you can't access Google's apps.

The operating system determines not just which apps are pre-installed, but also which you can download and use. The Google Play store has a massive selection and it’s rare to find an app that’s only on iPad and not available to Android users. But it does happen, particularly with apps for gadgets and smart home accessories.

Also see: Best SIM-only deals: Best SIM-only and Data SIM deals for smartphone and tablet users

Best budget tablets of 2016 UK

You'll see reviews of some 'older' tablets here. They may be over a year old, but you can now pick them up for less than their original price, making some a better deal.

13. Vodafone Tab Prime 6

Rating:
Reviewed on: 23 July 15
Buy for £150 inc VAT

This isn't a bad attempt at a budget tablet with decent build and almost stock Android. If you want 4G data on the go for simple tasks then the Vodafone Tab Prime 6 isn't a bad choice with the PAYG option. However, if you're not going to make use of the 4G then you're much better off going for a tablet like the Tesco Hudl 2 which is cheaper and offers much better specs. It's the screen which is the biggest let down here.

Read our Vodafone Tab Prime 6 review.

12. Acer Icona Tab 10 A3-A20

Rating:
Reviewed on: 12 March 15
RRP: £179 inc VAT

There's little to get excited about with the Acer Iconia Tab 10 but that's fine with a very affordable price tag of £179. It's plain in appearance and quite heavy but apart from a few too many pre-loaded apps, the tablet offers good performance and decent storage plus a handy microHDMI port. Overall it's a good choice if you're looking to spend under £200 on a large Android tablet.

Read our Acer Icona Tab 10 A3-A20 review.

11. Asus Memo Pad 8

Rating:
Reviewed on: 27 January 15
RRP: £169.99

Asus's Memo Pad 8 tablet is stylish, well-built and plenty powerful enough for most users looking to play casual games, browse the web and carry out basic productivity tasks. It is well-worth considering at £120 (you'll find it for that price on Amazon) if display and camera quality aren't top of your priority list.

If you want to save a bit of extra cash and aren't worried about loosing an inch off the display, we'd recommend opting for the smaller but very similarly specced Asus Memo Pad 7, which you'll find for under £100 if you shop around.

Read our Asus Memo Pad 8 review.

10. Asus Memo Pad 7 (ME176CX)

Rating:
Reviewed on: 3 July 14
RRP: £120

For just £120, we're really impressed with the Asus Memo Pad 7. In addition to a good-looking design and sturdy build, it also boasts hardware that rivals tablets with much higher price tags. A higher-resolution screen and front-facing speakers would add even more appeal, but if you're looking for a budget tablet and have been considering the Tesco Hudl, Kindle Fire HD or even the Nexus 7, it's worth investigating the Asus Memo Pad 7, too.

Read our Asus Memo Pad 7 (ME176CX) review.

9. Asus ZenPad C 7.0

Rating:
Reviewed on: 26 August 15
Buy for 79.99

The Asus ZenPad C 7.0 is a fine tool for carrying in your bag wherever you go and using to check emails and social media and browse the web. Beyond that its functionality is limited, but what more can you expect from an £80 tablet? If you can stretch to the £99 Hudl 2 you will find a noticeable jump in performance, but the Asus is the more portable of the two.

Read our Asus ZenPad C 7.0 review.

8. Asus ZenPad 10 ZD300C

Rating:
Reviewed on: 8 July 16
Buy for 199.97

The Asus ZenPad 10 is far too slow and has too basic a spec for us to heartily recommend it to all users. Power users should stay well away, but Android beginners may find this tablet can meet all their needs at an affordable price. We like the AudioDock keyboard, though it isn’t infallible, while sound is good and the screen offers a large space for enjoying media.

Read our Asus ZenPad 10 ZD300C review.

7. Chuwi Hi12

Rating:
Reviewed on: 26 April 16
Buy for £194.71 plus import duty from China

At under £200 the Chuwi Hi12 is a fantastic Windows 10 tablet with a large, high-resolution screen and capable – if not fast – performance. Battery life is excellent and the design is mostly good, but if you plump for the optional keyboard consider yourself warned about the trackpad.

Read our Chuwi Hi12 review.

6. LG G Pad 8.3

Rating:
Reviewed on: 13 February 14
RRP: £199 inc VAT

The G Pad 8.3 is undoubtedly LG's best tablet to date and at £199 it's a bit of a steal. A nice selection of hardware and software make this a great choice for a small tablet. However, occasionally laggy performance means the Nexus 7 might be a better choice.

Read our LG G Pad 8.3 review.

5. Chuwi HiBook

Rating:
Reviewed on: 13 May 16
Buy for 143.42

At £143.42 it's difficult to find fault in a 10in tablet that can handle most tasks and offers both Android and Windows operating systems. We strongly recommend you purchase the optional keyboard for the extra functionality it affords, including two full-size USB ports, but even without it the Chuwi HiBook is a very decent budget tablet, with acceptable performance and a decent screen.

Read our Chuwi HiBook review.

4. Amazon Fire HD 6

Rating:
Reviewed on: 17 October 14
RRP: £79 inc VAT (8GB); £99 inc VAT (16GB)

It isn't perfect, but the HD 6 is really good value. Performance is well above the level you'd expect at this price, as is the quality of the screen. Some might find the 6in screen too small, though, so it's worth trying to track one down before buying.

Read our Amazon Fire HD 6 review.

3. Nexus 7 (2013)

Rating:
Reviewed on: 22 July 14
RRP: £199 (32 GB)/£239 (1 32GB)

The 2013 flavour of the Nexus 7 is no longer available from Google. But shop around and you can find it in various online stores, at a great low price. Arguably the Hudl 2 offers a similar blend of value and quality, and may even be a bit faster. But you are unlikely to notice, and although the Nexus 7 is still lacking a microSD card slot, for many people will be the best 7in tablet around. It may even be the best value tablet there is.

Read our Nexus 7 (2013) review.

2. Tesco Hudl 2

Rating:
Reviewed on: 26 October 15
RRP: £99 inc VAT

One of the best budget Android tablets to date, Tesco has done the unthinkable and stopped selling its Hudl 2. It's still a great deal where available, but be warned that many people are selling it at almost double its £99 price at Tesco - just because they can. If you can find one, and even with the complaints about charging and cracked screens, we can still recommend the Hudl 2. Tesco will continue to support its tablet, and the great screen, decent processor and microSD card slot make this an excellent tablet.

Read our Tesco Hudl 2 review.

1. Amazon Fire

Rating:
Reviewed on: 26 April 16
RRP: £49 inc VAT

It's certainly not perfect, and the lack of Google apps will still put some people off, but the Fire is excellent value at under £50. The latest Fire OS is so Android-like that it's easy to use, and the Fire for Kids app makes it possible to limit what you kids can do and how long they can use the tablet. For some people it's well worth paying double for the Kids Edition version as you get the bumper case and the great warranty. There are some sore points: the poor cameras, the sluggish performance at times, and the long charging time. But at this price it's hard to complain. And you certainly won't find a better tablet for the same money.